ISLAMABAD, March 15: Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and International Rice Research Centre (IRRI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in agricultural research, says a press release.

PARC chairman Dr Badaruddin Soomro and IRRI director-general (research) Dr Ren Wang signed the MoU during a meeting held at the council.

According to the MoU, IRRI will cooperate in various activities, including germplasm collection, conservation and management, incorporation of insect and disease resistance, rice hybrid, new plant architecture, and wide hybridization.

The PARC and IRRI will prepare joint proposals for submission to donor agencies for funding purposes.

Under the MoU, the IRRI will invite Pakistani scientists to attend international research conferences and symposia, and join international monitoring tours.

The terms of this agreement will be valid for a period of 10 years.

On the occasion, the PARC chairman said cooperation between agricultural scientists of the IRRI and PARC would be helpful to devise a strategy to enhance productivity and achieve sustainability in rice production system.

The cooperation will also improve the economy of the country and status of farmers cultivating rice crops.